M2 June 2018 - LATEST ISSUE!
In Full Blum
An Actor, Producer, Writer, and advocate for equal rights in America, Jeff Goldblum has his sauve fingers in a lot of pies. With his flawless charm and alternative style, he’s been voted as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. After starring in blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, Independence Day, The Grand Budapest Hotel and...
The Largest Wave Ever Surfed
Brazilian pro-surfer, Rodrigo Koxa recently became another record-holder. He officially broke the record of the largest wave ever surfed at the Nazare Beach in Portugal and received a Guiness World Record on the 30th of April. The surf was actually made last year on November the 7th, which was made official at World Surf League’s...
Comvita® Honeygar™ 750ml
Comvita® Honeygar™ combines naturally fermented Apple Cider Vinegar with Comvita® UMF® 5+ Manuka Honey. It can be taken as a health tonic or used in salad dressings. Since ancient times vinegar has traditionally been used for a healthier life. Serving suggestion: To make a healthy and delicious beverage, mix one tablespoon of Comvita® Honeygar™ with...
Beauty Butlers
Karl Lagerfeld + ModelCo “Beauty Butlers” stomp the streets of Paris to mark the launch of their limitededition colour cosmetics collection. Dressed in crisp suits and wearing helmets that are a 3D cartoon reinterpretation of Karl Lagerfeld, this butler flashmob got heads turning in the French city....
M2 PEAK PERFORMANCE powered by Under Armour
Fighting For Social Change
More than 20 years ago, a young Richie Hardcore entered the ring, about to look his very first opponent in the eye, with one goal – to be the last man standing. It’s hard to imagine what would have been going through his mind as the bell rang to signal the fight to commence. It would also have been impossible for […]
The One To Watch – Opie Bosson
Opie Bosson Reins Supreme In The Twilight Of His Career In a sports world obsessed and put into context by statistics, the phenomenal haul of veteran Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson has to be studied twice to truly appreciate. In a 23 year career in the ruthless racing industry, the 37 year old has amassed over […]
Liam Malone – The Fast Track To Success
The M2 Champagne Bollinger Man of the Year 2016 went to two time gold and one time silver medal winning Paralympian and blade running record breaker Liam Malone. He may have only had three years to prepare for Rio but as he has proven, he moves quickly. On and off the track. And this is […]
Sand, Surf And Success
As a child, Matt-Lewis Hewitt had always been drawn towards sports that required discipline, teamwork and structured routine. Sports like rugby, swimming, surf lifesaving, water polo and, especially, surfing. Starting at 14 years old, it took Hewitt just 18 months before he was competing professionally in surfing. The young prodigy was headed for success, no […]
Style
Beauty Butlers
Karl Lagerfeld + ModelCo “Beauty Butlers” stomp the streets of Paris to mark the launch of their limitededition colour cosmetics collection. Dressed in crisp suits and wearing helmets that are a 3D cartoon reinterpretation of Karl Lagerfeld, this butler flashmob got heads turning in the French city....
Fountain Of Creativity
To celebrate the power of the creative, Montblanc has recently released a new, special edition selection of fountain pens that will certainly get the ink flowing. As a nod to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novella, Le Petit Prince, this pen is a reminder that anyone can create magic and harness imagination. Described at the most translatable...
Proraso Wood And Spice Beard Shampoo
Behind every great beard is a great grooming routine. Proraso – the Italy-based facial cream specialists – have supplied a gentle moisturizer for your face and beard. It’s designed to remove dirt, dander and odours as well as helping you master that sophisticated look. The scent is a sweet mixture of cedar and Mediterranean citrus....
MÜHLE R89 Safety Razor
In the big ol’ world of wet shaving, every man wants precision when it comes to stylized facial hair. They want the coolest cut, the slickest shave, the freshest fade (if you will). Mühle has just the ticket to make the shaving experience more pleasurable. For any beginner (mid, or expert) shaver, hairremoval tools are...
Wild
11 Deadliest Animals on the Planet, And How to Survive Them
The animal kingdom is a strange and wonderful place. From architects to mimes, assassins to philanderers, each animal has its own niche, a role and place. While we regularly encounter cats, dogs, birds and bugs, our chances of seeing dangerous animals are usually limited to visiting the zoo or watching The Discovery Channel. But while...
Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
Behind The Lens: Open Ocean
The thought of delving into the deep and getting face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest and deadliest beasts is not something everyone can face. But it is a different story for underwater videographer and adrenaline junkie, Steve Hathaway. Fascinated about life under the surface, M2 dove straight in when the opportunity arose to talk...
Surgeons of the Sea
Free Willy vs Jaws… who wins? Hollywood has altered our expectations about how this sort of apex predator duel would go down. Unless you spend more time watching documentaries than old movies on VHS, then the answer isn’t so clear. The biggest great white sharks can measure six metres long, weigh more than 2200 kilograms...
Snow
Climbing The Podium: Kiwis at the Winter Paralympics
The Winter Games, both Olympic and Paralympic, usually pass with minimal mention down under, but in the case of the compact Kiwi Paralympian team heading to South Korea this March, there’s reason to take notice. For a global event that is heavily dominated by northern hemisphere athletes, New Zealand participants more than hold their own....
STEF ZEESTRATEN: HALFPIPE HEDONIST
From one of the flattest countries in the world, to the sharp ascents of the Southern Alps, Dutch-born Stef Zeestraten has, as is his wont, carved a name for himself in New Zealand snowboarding folklore. Throughout his 17-year competitive career that saw him peak at 47th in the world in 2008, Zeestraten has followed the serious...
New Zealand Snow Guide 2017
With a cold blast hitting much of New Zealand earlier than expected, ski fields the length of the country have been able to open with bonus time to spare. Seasoned snow bunnies know their spots on both islands, but for those looking to venture out and experience new terrain and thrills, where do you go...
The Mazda SKI-ACTIV Experience
I vividly remember the first time I actually put skis on and hit (quite literally) the snow. I was in my late teens and full of bravado; I headed to the top of the chairlift, strapped on two planks of wood and shot down the slope – straight into a tree. The sensation was both...
Leadership
MARKET LEADER: The driving force behind the real estate evolution
Brendon Skipper’s role as CEO of New Zealand’s No.1 property site, realestate.co.nz, draws on more than 20 years of experience across sales and marketing, property, IT and telecommunications, but he is quick to point out that the CEO role is one that doesn’t come with a manual. Could you describe a standard day for yourself?...
Al Brown’s Casual Guide To Success
While Al Brown has run a silver service restaurant before, he sees New Zealand’s unique “Ace Card” in our informal, no-fuss style. Just good food, good company and style that celebrates true New Zealand. It’s a philosophy that Al and his team put into books, events, Restaurants, Depot and Federal Deli and the Best Ugly...
The Chair: Rob Campbell
Over the last 30 years Rob Campbell is on the board of some of our largest companies across our largest industries. Currently Chair of Summerset Group Holdings (NZ) and WEL Energy, and a director of SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Precinct Properties as well a director of or advisor to a number of hedge and private...
Richard Branson’s 75 Close Shaves
Unwavering, relentless persistence, those are the words I would use to describe Richard Branson. He’s built a global brand and personal lifestyle, from scratch that fascinates us with its continuous momentum, near misses and massive achievements. How many international entrepreneurs would be working deals and businesses in massive markets like the UK, the USA, Europe,...
Gadgets
The View From Above
Everyone bar none knows about NASA. The American space juggernaut has been around since the late 1950s and was responsible for the first manned mission to the moon. That said, the organisation has an almost mythical feel to it from here in New Zealand. We see the news about the missions, astronauts and even watch...
The Modern Day Space Race
The solar system we occupy is a fascinating place, that’s for certain – nine planets that glow as beacons and an uncountable infinity of stars. Beginning in the late 1950s, a race pitted capitalist America against communist Soviet Union to see who was superior with their space technology. The Soviets took the lead by launching...
Spider Graphene
Spider-Man has a long list of much sought after superpowers and abilities – super strength, agility, super speed, heightened perception. These all run the conventional gamut of a typical superhero’s repertoire, but his defining power is his web-shooting. Traversing through New York from web to web, ensnaring evil doers in cocoons of spider-silk – it’s...
Robotic Pillow
If an average night’s sleep is equivalent to eight hours, then you spend a third of your life asleep. Gee whiz. So why not amp up the quality of sleep to increase the quality of your waking moments? Counting sheep, tossing and turning, intrusive thoughts are part of the pursuit of the land of nod,...
Mandate
Chaoyang Park Plaza
Inner-city buildings can often be categorised as ‘uninspired’ – giant eyesores, often blocky in nature, they tower in an overshadowing manner, a bit like the Lurch from the Addams Family. Chaoyang Park Plaza, designed by MAD Architects, offers thoughtfulness and a clever aesthetic, very different than many buildings dotted around the Beijing CBD. Taking inspiration...
Amazon Goes Green Spheres
Kindle, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Prime, Amazon Go, Alexa. Amazon are ever the innovators and that’s not even considering the behemoth that is their online shopping platform. And, with CEO Jeff Bezos firmly set as the richest person on the planet with a net worth of $120.5 billion (USD), Amazon have decided to celebrate their...
Polling the Nation
We took to social media for your opinions on these hot topics. Most expensive road in the world An arterial road going between State Highway One at Sylvia Park to State Highway 20 in Auckland is estimated to cost $1.8 billion. the new iphone You can now pre-order the latest iPhone X, but the 256gb...
The Books To Read
Typhoon Fury Clive Cussler Juan Cabrillo and the corporation are off on another adventure, this time sees them in Asia. A good old fashioned good guy versus the bad guys with the villain being tough and not to be messed with. This is the 9th Oregon files book, those familiar with the series will know...
Man on the Street
Man On The Street – Justin Haiu
Age: 37 Occupation: Entertainer/Theatre Practitioner What’s your morning routine? The alarm goes off, I take a moment to be inspired by the world, then I think about the day ahead. I sneak out of the room (as not to wake my wife and baby daughter), I get my son up and get him ready for...
Man On The Street – Zain Edinberry
Age: 24 Occupation: Architectural Technician What’s your morning routine? Wake up, go to the gym. Head to work and drink enough coffee to keep me going for the rest of the day. What’s the top three things on your bucket list? See the sunrise in a hot air balloon. Scubadive in the deep sea. Design...
Man On The Street – Robert Hughes
Age: 33 Occupation: Head of Supply Chain at My Food Bag What’s your morning routine? Hit “snooze” once (or twice), feed the dog then shower and off to work. What are the top three things on your bucket list? Swim with Sharks (without a cage) which im doing in Hawaii in September. Kayak with Orca in...
Man On The Street – Henry Beasley
When your life is full of writing, acting, producing AND being the lead singer of a band, you’re bound to have something interesting to say. Henry Beasley takes a few minutes with M2 to discuss life, success and motivation in this edition of Man On The Street: Age: 24 Occupation: Writer, actor, producer and...
Design
To The Manor Reborn AKA Unearthing Diamonds
The opportunity arose to visit the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and I seized it with both hands. Not only would it give me the chance to pore over such iconic cars as the E-Type and Land Rover Series 1 , but it also came with the offer of being chauffeur driven there and back in a...
The World’s Coolest Offices
Sometimes working 9-5 in that bland, box-shaped office can get you down. Maybe what you need is a waterslide, or a giant shipwreck in the auditorium, or a nuclear bunker? Bahnoff Sweden The Swedish internet provider, founded in 1994 by Oscar Swartz, is a key service, that’s for sure…but wait until you’ve seen their office....
The Gemma Observatory
There’s something quite awe-inspiring about stargazing. Looking deep into the speckled abyss of the cosmos is a humbling sensation felt by all since the dawn of humankind. Stargazers both serious and amateur will be left, well, starstruck by the Gemma Observatory – a slick, custom built observatory in that can rotate to give different views...
Amazon Goes Green Spheres
Kindle, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Prime, Amazon Go, Alexa. Amazon are ever the innovators and that’s not even considering the behemoth that is their online shopping platform. And, with CEO Jeff Bezos firmly set as the richest person on the planet with a net worth of $120.5 billion (USD), Amazon have decided to celebrate their...
Deep Dives
The Vulcan Printer
3D printed houses to shelter the homeless Do the right thing” is Google’s current company motto and it speaks to a duty that many in the tech world feel – innovation coupled with ethics. Housing charity New Story and construction tech firm ICON have taken this sane ethos to heart and teamed up to create...
The Modern Day Space Race
The solar system we occupy is a fascinating place, that’s for certain – nine planets that glow as beacons and an uncountable infinity of stars. Beginning in the late 1950s, a race pitted capitalist America against communist Soviet Union to see who was superior with their space technology. The Soviets took the lead by launching...
Who Is Using Your Data?
Zuckerberg: Yeah so if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard Just ask. I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNS [Redacted Friend’s Name]: What? How’d you manage that one? Zuckerberg: People just submitted it. I don’t know why. They “trust me”. Zuckerberg: Dumb f**ks. This was an ironically leaked series of messages between...
All Hail Our Secret Government
It’s a golden time for lobbyists at the moment. We’ve just had a change in government and that means it’s time for everything to change, come what may. Duh, it has to – as the last guys obviously got every single thing wrong! But there’s a slight problem in that, aside from a couple of...
Cover Stories
COVER STORY – Michael Fassbender
It’s 1979, and a two-year-old Michael Fassbender is moving with his family from Heidelberg in Germany to Ireland. Just across the Irish Sea, principle photography at a London studio had just been finished and the world was being introduced to the horror of Ridley Scott’s Alien, a franchise that would set the bar in sci-fi...
Charlie Hunnam, Making of A Legend
You’ve likely heard of the legendary King Arthur and the extraction of the enchanted sword, Excalibur, from the stone, but who on earth is Charlie Hunnam? Sons of Anarchy fans will know the English actor as bikie, Jackson ‘Jax’ Teller, and women wish they knew him, as he was one of the original picks for...
Strange Magic – Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is one of those guys you don’t forget or mix up with somebody else. He doesn’t have “one of those faces” that everyone else has. You’re not going to mix him up with Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, two people that looked so similar their parents both came to the conclusion that they...
Double Edged: The Return of Blade Runner
We’re treading on hallowed ground now. We all knew that one day Hollywood’s rummaging hand would light upon a classic like Blade Runner. They’ve already made the right first move by not rebooting everything from scratch. The second move they need to make is far more nuanced. Just a little background for readers who are...
Success
Editor’s Letter February 2018
I’m an optimistic person by nature (probably a little bit too much so when it has come to some past financial investments) lately, though not even my overabundance of positivity is enough to make it through the financial news without coming away with at least a small amount of dread. Concerns about rising debt levels,...
Exceptional Customer Experience = Exceptional Success
We know this stuff, but how well are we doing it? When airlines around the world put in airport lounges to increase the end-to-end experience, they were embracing this philosophy. Even though they may have been motivated by trying to also lock in loyalty with memberships that encouraged them to always book with the same...
The Remai Modern
Canada’s culture scene has recently welcomed the $95 million dollar modern art museum – the Remai Modern. We were proud to see it fronted by New Zealand CEO Gregory Burke, former CEO of New Plymouth’s Govett‑Brewster and many other prestigious galleries. I caught up with Burke to talk success, design and the challenges he faces with...
Best Things Ever Said
Trying to preface pearls of wisdom by some of the world’s most successful individuals can be a daunting task. Muhammad Ali has taken more hard hits than most of us ever will, Jeff Bezos is running an empire and Will Smith is Will Smith. I’ll let them speak for themselves. A BRAND FOR A...
Amazing Photos
Long Live The Silver Screen
Think about the magic and excitement of driving up to a local parking lot, ready to watch the latest feature film in the comfort of your own car. The light from the projector beams a dancing stream of images onto the giant screen ahead, while kids laugh and play beneath the screen. American-based photographer Lindsey...
One Shot At The Perfect Image
Former rugby league player and award-winning photographer, Russell Ord’s photo technique is quite unorthodox to say the least. He really lives on the edge with his art, and goes to any length to capture the heart of the environment he thrives in. He gets up, close and personal with his subjects, even if those subjects...
The Art of Abandonment, Photo Series Captures Civilizations Losing Battle Against Nature
Destroyed, decayed and derelict – all key elements that Jonk, a well-seasoned French photographer, seeks in his ultimate subject matter, for his ongoing series depicting abandoned structures. Do you come from a photography background? I did not study photography and learned everything myself, mostly from reading and exchanging ideas with fellow photographers. My background is...
What Lies Beneath
From growing up in a small town in North Canterbury, to hosting his very own series, picked up by a global documentary giant – National Geographic – Ellis Emmett truly is an inspiration to get out there and get stuck into something you love and turn your ideas and dreams into a reality. We manage...
Sport
The Monthly Sports Agenda
It’s business as usual in September, and Australia is the place to be for sporting action in this part of the world, as their most supported codes wind up their seasons. Elsewhere on the globe, New York is hosting two events of international significance with records to be broken. NRL FINALS SERIES September is the...
Hayden Paddon, Gravel Guru
A generation after the world-beating deeds of the late Possum Bourne, rally star Hayden Paddon has once again put Kiwi drivers on the map. The Hyundai driver has become a fixture on the world’s loose roads for the past four years and has been supremely competitive when all the stars align. In such a condensed...
Sports News – February 2018
Tweaked Super Rugby season set for another trial The ever evolving (or is it revolving) Super Rugby competition has had another makeover for 2018 and once again, the same story-lines exist. Can the Blues make the semifinals like they always predict and expected to do? Will the Crusaders make the final again and what new...
Joseph Parker – Fighting Spirit
It’s known as “The Sweet Science”. Where mere millimeters mean the difference between slipping a punch or waking up gazing at the bright lights of a stadium ceiling. Where the right amount of torque and placement decides whether or not a punch becomes a knockout blow. Where timing is the difference between a successful counter punch...
Bucket List Experiences
The Art Of Fakery
Austrian photographer Gregor Sailer is a changer of landscapes, and a tricker of minds. Photographs in his latest series, The Potemkin Village, strike a sense of confusion… but not everything is as it may seem. While growing up in Tyrol, Austria, Gregor Sailer started taking snaps at a young age and has not stopped...
The Largest Wave Ever Surfed
Brazilian pro-surfer, Rodrigo Koxa recently became another record-holder. He officially broke the record of the largest wave ever surfed at the Nazare Beach in Portugal and received a Guiness World Record on the 30th of April. The surf was actually made last year on November the 7th, which was made official at World Surf League’s...
New Zealand Snow Guide 2017
With a cold blast hitting much of New Zealand earlier than expected, ski fields the length of the country have been able to open with bonus time to spare. Seasoned snow bunnies know their spots on both islands, but for those looking to venture out and experience new terrain and thrills, where do you go...
11 Most Dangerous Sports
Here are some of the more dangerous activities you could attempt if 1 – you are crazy seriously crazy, 2 – you like to live (or die) on the edge, 3 – you still have insurance cover for your particular dangerous sport and 4 – you believe what you are doing will cure the hiccups....
Wheels
Ferrari 488 Challenge – It’s Big, Really BIG
New Zealand punches above its weight in so many sports, boxing, rugby (of course), cricket, netball, sailing and motorsport to name but a few. However, aside from a particular chosen few, our venues still leave a lot to be desired. We are seldom on the list of must-see stadiums or event centres, but it would...
Wheels News July 2017
ROLLS-ROYCE ‘SWEPTAIL’ – An $18m COACHBUILDING EXTRAORDINAIRE With the 103EX, Rolls-Royce presented to the world a coachbuilding platform to inspire its future clientele. This Vision Vehicle envisaged a world of completely personal luxury mobility where new technologies would allow every Rolls-Royce to be designed in their owners’ image, should they wish. However, the mere idea...
The Self-Healing Supercar
Water is wet, the sun is hot and supercars are cool. But if there is one major caveat to driving around in a Lamborghini, it’s that parts and repairs will cost you an arm and a leg… and then your other leg too. Not only that, repairs are a cumbersome process. Lamborghini has been collaborating...
12 signs of the Kodiaq
As you are undoubtedly aware, there are 12 signs of the Zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces) and, depending on what you believe or read, wherever your birthday lands in terms of these signs will heavily dictate your own particular characteristics and talents. Of course, IMHO this...
Health
Health News
Fall into autumn this March as we change seasons – get the best, to perform at your peak. New Balance New Balance will release its latest shoe onto the market this month. The annual Grey Day is merging the sophisticated with the sportiest footwear. Made with a breathable suede and a well-made lightwear, the 574...
Health News – January 2018
It’s the season of summer sports, so grab your mates and head out to the tennis, races or polo this January. ASB Classic Experience the violence of the swing, the gun-shot thwack of racquet meeting rubber and green felt and the energy of the players as they run, skid and scramble around the court at...
Healing without Scars
Be it from when you tripped and fell as a kid, an accidental burn, or if you got your appendix removed, scars can be rather unpleasant and unsightly. And while scars can’t be completely removed at present, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Dermatology have found a way to make fresh wounds heal...
Health News – February 2018
It’s the season of summer sports, so grab your mates and head out to the tennis, races or polo this February. Catwalk Trust Modern medicine is an incredible thing. Smallpox? Eradicated. Heart failure? We can transplant a new one. But there are fields where more research is required and the treatment and cure for Spinal...
Entertainment
Films To Watch This April
Rampage Billed as ‘Big Meets Bigger’, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plays a primatologist who befriends a giant silverback gorilla. After a genetic experiment goes wrong (good one, humanity), the gorilla goes ape. Not only that, several species of altered animals begin to run amok across America, and it’s up to the The Rock to restore...
Everything to Watch in June – 2017
Baywatch IN CINEMAS june 1 Take David Hasselhoff and swap him out for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnston and you have the rehash of the 90s classic… but with a comedy twist. With the Baywatch unit needing an image facelift, the powers that be enlist the shredded and bronzed Matt Brody (Zac Efron) to help liven...
Sicario 2: Soldado
The Sicario series follows the very real and very tumultuous “War on Drugs” between the U.S. government and Mexican drug cartels. Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin star in the hotly anticipated Sicario 2: Soldado, where the daughter of a drug lord is kidnapped as part of a false flag operation that eventually goes wrong....
That’s Electric – James Bay
English singer/songwriter James Bay is back with a new haircut, sound and album. Electric Light is set to drop on May 18 and it’s steering away from the acoustic sound he established on his previous record. Bay has ditched the guitar in favor of a more atmospheric sound featuring electronic beats. Drawing inspirations from artists...
Food
Dinner In A Cave
The Nikunotoriko restaurant designed by Tokyo-based architect Ryoji Iedokoro might seem a strange context to enjoy a meal but there is perfectly sound logic behind the whole cave and forest aesthetic. Iedokoro referenced the primal hunter humans who gathered inside a cave or outside in a forest to sit around a fire to cook and...
Discover Your New Local – Ben Bayly’s Less Obvious Guide to the Best Restaurants
We live in a golden age of chefs. Between the move towards consumers seeking a more personal and authentic dining experience, Auckland is bubbling over with cooking legends who not only practice world-class gastronomy but also manage to remain authentic with more focus on craft than profit. Ben Bayly, one of the judges on New...
Where Our Chefs Eat: The Ultimate Mans Guide
There’s nothing worse than pining after a dish all day, only to be miserably disappointed when your order doesn’t quite live up to the expectations. With a dizzying array of options dotted around the city, it’s hard to know where to even begin. To avoid a serious case of food disappointment, we spoke to some...
The Burger Battle
Each week seems to bring another burger joint opening, but hey, we’re not complaining. But with each new opening comes a new concept, so which fusion, style or flavour do you pick? Better Burger These guys seem to be taking on the city, with the recent opening of their Sylvia Park store showing they have...
Wine
Bollinger: The Nectar of the Gods
Champagne has never been just a wine. It has long been recognised as something special, and until recent times, something that has only been enjoyed by nobility. Often referred to as, “the Nectar of the Gods”. hampagne can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region – an area that rarely sees...
Wine Guide – Soulful Sauvs
While Chardonnays might be making a comeback and a lot of people are ‘branching out’ and trying different varietals, it is still the Sauvignon Blancs that dominate the landscape when it comes to our favourite white wines. It is of course the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that we have to thank for the meteoric rise of...
The Art of Great Taste
Australia’s oldest family-owned winery has put its years of experience and wine pioneering expertise to good use with the exceptional and rare new wine, the 2012 Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz. Under a moonlit sky, 168 years ago, Yalumba winemakers planted their first vines. Now, as the only Australian winery to have its own...
Cyclones & Grapes The Making of a Unique Vintage
If you thought that 2017’s random weather patterns had ruined your weekend plans spare a thought for our nation’s winemakers whose reputations hinge on one of the more challenging vintages in recent history. With Cyclone Debbie, Cyclone Donna, Cyclone Cook and other extreme weather events impacting vineyards all over the country winemakers have had a...
Coach Your Way To Success
Think Like a Marketer for Your Next Hire
The fundamentals of good marketer are to attract the consumer with a strong and reputable brand, motivate them into action, provide an excellent experience and retain their loyalty. A company brand that is well recognised and delivers in experience and performance will continue to attract customers over its competitors. Now apply this tactic to your...
Are you changing fast enough to stay relevant?
To let your fears determine what you do will not only limit what you fail at but, more significantly, what you succeed at. A degree isn’t any better or worse than experience, it’s just that a degree is no longer enough. The only way to learn about life is to experience it and that means...
Why Having 4 Holidays a Year Will Make You More Productive
M2 Coach Podcast – Why Having 4 Holidays A Year Will Make You More Productive A year is a long time to stay motivated and productive at work – especially if you’ve only got one holiday at the end to look forward to. A few years back, a good mate introduced me to the ‘four...
Opportunities in abundance?
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. – Winston Churchill Finding Opportunities are everywhere, as are difficulties, which is why the key to succeeding is to embrace difficulty, as inside lies the very element for which you search. The very act of living life is to...
Luxury Watches
Omega Picks of 2017
Seamaster Planet Ocean Sporting an eye-catching navy blue and burnt orange colourway, “Big Blue” as Omega have nicknamed it, is bold in style, clever in design and grabs attention in a manner vastly different to your standard luxury watches. Omega have springboarded off the success of last year’s Planet Ocean “Deep Black” and have dived deeper...
TAG Heuer Picks of 2017
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T Tourbillon Baguette Diamonds Jack Heuer, great-grandson of founder Edouard Heuer, designed the original Carrera in 1963, inspired by the speed, thrill and edginess in the world of auto-racing. The 2017 Carrera Heuer-02T Tour channels the daredevil bravado of Carrera’s past and injects it with the unabandoned flashiness and swagger of the...
Montblanc Picks of 2017
Montblanc 1858 Automatic Evoking designs and themes of timepieces past is a formula that can either work fantastically or come across as contrived. Montblanc’s 1858 collection, in particular the Montblanc 1858 Automatic, tastefully pays tribute to the Minerva chronographs of the 1930s, while making subtle changes for the sensibilities of the modern day. A deep...
M2 Luxury Watch Guide 2017
The phrase ‘time is relative to the observer’ arose from Albert Einstein’s field equations, which were published in 1915. Although he was talking about time as it pertains to general relativity, this extends to us as observers within the human condition. A minute can feel like hours at moments of stress. Conversely, the oft-thrown-around idiom...
Drink
Limited numbers of bottles of this whisky are landing in NZ, here’s when & where to find them
Extending the annual Islay Whisky Festival – Feis Ile – in Scotland slightly, Ardbeg Day will be celebrated in New Zealand on Saturday June 3. The celebrations stretch across the country in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. There will be celebrations along with the official release of the limited edition Ardbeg Kelpie for purchase, paired canapes...
The Ultimate Whisky Night
A few weeks ago we had a another of our whisky nights with a group of lads from the neighborhood. We call it the Renfrew Whisky Appreciation Society but it is simply an enthusiastic bunch from all walks, including lawyers, accountants, bankers and a couple of project managers, all of whom have a common interest...
Barrel Owners Club
I think we’ve all considered what it would be like to make our own wine. Having rows of grapes stretching across acres of Otago land. While you may not be able to uproot your family and lifestyle to chase idyllic rural dreams you may be able to get in on this personalised wine making business....
Taste Of Summer
Seek out those who embrace the unusual, and you’ll find that Hendrick’s Gin is much loved by a handful of curious individuals all over the world. infused with the remarkable Bulgarian Rosa Damascena and specially selected cucumbers, Hendrick’s Gin has a unique botanical signature that sets it apart from the rest. The master distiller carefully crafts...
Authors
Gregg Hurwitz
Gregg Hurwitz – the New York Times bestselling writer of 19 novels, numerous screenplays for films and a New York Times Bestselling graphic novelist for 14 comic books – has definitely hit the ground running when it comes to producing top-quality, thrilling fiction. With multiple award nods under his belt – such as a two-time...
Chris Carter – The Hunter And The Hunted
Chris Carter is a crime writer with a long résumé of published works. He is most well-known for his Robert Hunter series of detective novels, which includes An Evil Mind, One By One, The Night Stalker and The Crucifix Killer, all of which have enjoyed big success globally. But dig deeper into his CV, and...
Stephen King – Author Credit
The infamous 1986 horror novel IT will be seen in a different light the movie hits the big screens this September. We hear from the man, Stephen King himself, about what he thinks of the upcoming iteration. When you watch a film based on one of your books, like IT, do you find yourself thinking...
The Author To Know: David Lagercrantz
Best-selling author of I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic and 11 other well-known titles, Lagercrantz is a man who wears numerous hats. One moment he is a journalist, the next he is a biographer, the next a ghost-writer, then a novelist. A man of sheer talent and verve. Born in Solna in 1962 to Olof Lagercrantz (a...
Book Reviews
5 books that have changed the way I think about business
As an entrepreneur, I don’t have as much time for reading as I would like; I’m often too busy ‘doing’. But there’s value to be gleaned from other people’s stories of having been there, done that, and lots we can learn from their trials and tribulations. So here are five books that have affected me...
The Books To Read
Typhoon Fury Clive Cussler Juan Cabrillo and the corporation are off on another adventure, this time sees them in Asia. A good old fashioned good guy versus the bad guys with the villain being tough and not to be messed with. This is the 9th Oregon files book, those familiar with the series will know...
Books: Must Reads For May
The Rising Sea By Clive Cussler Cussler has a number of franchises, this time its the latest from the Numa Files, starring Kurt Austin. A new marine based action thriller, starting off in 1573 to set the scene, then back to theimplications today with our heros and the bad guys. I always look forward to...
Book reviews – March 2018
By Tim Lawrence I haven’t read the first two Orphan X novels, but I did read and review another Hurwitz novel last year, Tell No Lies, where I said: “ The story is set in San Francisco, the hero is a rich kid with a tough, wealthy mother; he gives up everything to marry his...
M2 May 2018 issue
Best Of The Watch Fairs – 2018
What with luxury watch brands having slipped back into the mainstream market for watch buyers, the timepiece is still very much alive and well. The big names in the watch business – Switzerland, Italy etc – still produce top-quality timepieces that will stand the test of time. M2 have put together a list of luxury...
The Gemma Observatory
There’s something quite awe-inspiring about stargazing. Looking deep into the speckled abyss of the cosmos is a humbling sensation felt by all since the dawn of humankind. Stargazers both serious and amateur will be left, well, starstruck by the Gemma Observatory – a slick, custom built observatory in that can rotate to give different views...
Cool Bikes
A new brand of e-bikes have hit the shelves recently, under the name of Cool Bikes. And yes, they are very cool. E-bikes are slowly becoming more and more the norm when it comes to quick travel on two wheels. Complete with Cruiser-like styles, and additions from top brands such as Samsung and Shimano, these...
Skoda’s Power Dresser
I was always brought up with the understanding that first impressions last, and that their importance is paramount. Apparently, during that chance or appointed meeting, the experts believe that this ‘battle’ is won or lost in an instant. Your approach, your smile, your persona, your handshake, what you first say (including the tone) and what...
M2 April 2018 issue
Chris Carter – The Hunter And The Hunted
Chris Carter is a crime writer with a long résumé of published works. He is most well-known for his Robert Hunter series of detective novels, which includes An Evil Mind, One By One, The Night Stalker and The Crucifix Killer, all of which have enjoyed big success globally. But dig deeper into his CV, and...
A Pearl In Two Shells
(Well, ok, three if you add the Cabriolet) Apparently, there are saloon people and there are those that have a penchant for the styling of a coupe. Mercedes-Benz New Zealand figured they’d let me decide what my preference was by lending me two E400 models, back to back. As you are probably already well aware, the...
Editor’s Letter – April 2018
It might be that I’m a bit more conscious of it lately with our recent focus on company board diversity, but there seems to have been a bit more of a spotlight on the liability of boards of late. The Fletcher situation for a start which resulted sadly in Ralph Norris’ resignation and then Shane...
Red Wins Gold
It sits there in the heart of Auckland’s Titirangi. A corrugated beating heart surrounded by native bush with the warbling sing-song of tui and kereru as the soundtrack. While you might think the seclusion of West Auckland’s native bush would mask the design mastery of Red House, it employs the opposite effect, so much so,...
M2 MARCH 2018 issue
Health News
Fall into autumn this March as we change seasons – get the best, to perform at your peak. New Balance New Balance will release its latest shoe onto the market this month. The annual Grey Day is merging the sophisticated with the sportiest footwear. Made with a breathable suede and a well-made lightwear, the 574...
Man on the Street – Eli Matthewson
Age: 29 Occupation: Comedian and writer What’s your morning routine? Press snooze three times and then scroll my phone for at least ten minutes before rushing out of bed to get to work . How do you plan to get the most out of 2018? Read less Trump news, read more happy news. What are...
Films To See This March
Death Of Stalin In cinemas March 15 Steve Buscemi (Pulp Fiction, Boardwalk Empire) stars in this political satire as Nikita Khrushchev, dealing with the instability of the Soviet Union in the wake of Joseph Stalin’s death. Beautifully shot, and sprinkled with humorous nuances, the film ended up being banned in Russia and several CIS states...
Minute Made – Well, 69 seconds, to be exact.
Having recently been behind the wheel of the latest Honda Civic hatch and the new (and impressive) Civic Type-R, it seemed only right to visit the Swindon plant to see where and how they had been created. Call me a bit of a geek if you like, but I am actually fascinated by how things...
M2 FEBRUARY 2018 issue
Sports News – February 2018
Tweaked Super Rugby season set for another trial The ever evolving (or is it revolving) Super Rugby competition has had another makeover for 2018 and once again, the same story-lines exist. Can the Blues make the semifinals like they always predict and expected to do? Will the Crusaders make the final again and what new...
The New Currency – Who Gives A Bit?
Money talks. Bitcoin talks with private keys. Have I lost you already? Stay with me. Cryptocurrency may seem daunting and overwhelming at first but with 1 Bitcoin equivalent to just over NZD$15,000 (at the time of writing this), it’s a concept well worth knowing about especially when you come to understand the implications and potential...
Transformer Maserati
It’s been nigh-on one year since the Maserati Levante SUV hit the streets, and what an impact it has had on the brand; it’s been quite the transformation. A massive 35 percent of Maserati’s new sales last year were Levante, and they predict the figure to be 55 percent this year. What’s more, it’s not just movement inside...
The Sport Of Kings
Polo is known as the Sport of Kings – a gentleman’s game, a game of skill and endurance, where the players must score points (sort of like football), all whilst riding horseback. First mentioned in literature in Persia about 600 BC, when the tribes domesticated horses and used the sport as a way of training...
M2 JANUARY 2018 issue
Sophia The Robot
If history repeats itself, then science fiction is some sort of weird self-fulfilling prophecy. For those of you who have watched Terminator 2, you will be well aware of the eerie impending doom that is Facebook… excuse me, Skynet. We create films warning us of the dangers of advanced AI and robotics and what do...
The Must-See Movies This January
All The Money In The World For an 80 year old, you’d think Ridley Scott would be slowing down, knocking back a couple of single malts, surrounded by H.R. Giger paintings while reflecting on his more than impressive 40 year filmography. This year was perhaps his biggest year yet – directing and producing Alien: Covenant, Blade...
All Things Being Equal – Holden Equinox Launch
Twice a year (March and September), the plane of the earth’s equator passes through the centre of the sun’s disk. The equinox, a derivative of the Latin word aequinoctium – Aequus/Nox (equal/night) is said to be when both day and night are equal. New Plymouth had an equinox pass through it recently. It wasn’t March...
The Electric Future – Tesla Stem
Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark – they don’t exist. Sorry folks. We do have Elon Musk, however. And, quite frankly, that’ll do. Whether he has his sights set to the stars with SpaceX, disrupting the automotive world with Tesla or providing powerwalls to a broken Puerto Rico, Musk is doing this whole billionaire philanthropist thing quite...
M2 DECEMBER 2017 issue - Man of the Year issue
Exploring The True Nature Of Kodo
Mazda’s Kodo (Soul of Motion) design language was first introduced to the world in 2010 in the form of the Shinari concept vehicle. The motivation behind this design ethos was, and very much still is, the ‘dynamic beauty of life’ and with its more muscular design characteristics, Shinari shows us that this form of motion...
What The Frock?
A new museum in Marrakech will focus entirely on the life and career of famed fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The 43,060 square foot space has been designed in true Parisian style by French architecture firm Studio KO. The building itself will incorporate Moroccan earth bricks and cubic forms to blend into the sleek desert...
Stay Ahead Of The Curve – Top trends in SEO for 2018
They say the only thing constant is change and nowhere does this feel truer than in the online landscape. So, this month I thought I would share my thoughts on trends and what’s in store when it comes to search marketing in 2018. User-centric wins If 2017 was ‘the year of the customer’, 2018 will...
Fool Proof Gadget Guide
It’s that time of year again, can you believe it? Christmas has a way of just appearing out of nowhere, even though we have an entire 12 months to prepare for it! The thing that gets me the most, however, is the question that starts popping up around about this time of year… “Hey honey,...
M2 NOVEMBER 2017 issue
Man on the Street – Daniel Cho
Age: 29 Occupation: Business Manager at Carat What is your morning routine? I get up at 6.40ish take my first shower of the day and bus into work for an 8.30 start. Breakfast at work which normally means muesli and yoghurt. What are the top three things on your bucket list? I don’t think I...
BMW M2 LCI – a Vermicious Knid
Vermicious knids are huge dark egg-shaped beings that live on the planet Vermes 184,270,000,000 miles away from earth and for some reason, they are the first things that came to mind when I drove BMW’s new M2 rocket ship. It’s obviously not their shape that made me think of them, it’s the ‘fact’ that they...
Defining Moments
Ermenegildo Zegna has recently unveiled the second chapter in its Defining Moments campaign, again starring Robert De Niro and welcoming French choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied. The collection, as always, embodies everything the Italian luxury fashion house is about. With the US Autumn-Winter 2017 collection reflecting strong emotion and a community-centric voice, we’re treated to a...
This is What the Future of BMW Looks Like
At CES2017 BMW revealed the BMW i Inside Future sculpture, an experimental concept pushing the boundaries of how we interact with our vehicles. The interior design is more zenlike in its simplicity, and takes the focus away from the driver. In previous BMW’s they’ve aimed all the controls at the driver, making them a pilot at...
M2 OCTOBER 2017 issue
Want to Get Rid of Bank Fees? Cut out the Middleman – Your bank
One of the best things about my job is constantly being exposed to new and innovating things. Whether it is the latest and greatest marketing campaign, a new piece of technology or the latest iPhone, the space we get to play in every day is constantly changing, always improving and forever on the move. very...
Key Pieces from the Keynote
If you haven’t already heard or seen, Apple was back again in September and both the new iPhone and keynote address left many asking questions. We offer a brief overview of this much-anticipated event. There are a few points of significance in the 2017 iPhone X (said ten) launch and keynote address that are extra-special....
BOSE Introduces Tiny New Bluetooth Speaker
Bose has just introduced the SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker, its small but rugged portable speaker. It Measures just 9.5cms wide and deep, 3.8cms high, and weighing a mere 290 grams.. Tested beyond its IPX7 waterproof rating, the Micro lets you enjoy music, take and make calls, and access Siri or your Google Assistant The Micro is packed...
Thor: Ragnarok
I used to write ordered lists of which Marvel Universe movies you should watch in order to see whichever is the latest Avengers film to come out. But now that the cinematic universe contains 17 movies, I’ve sort of given up on that. But if you do want at least a modicum of back story, then...
M2 SEPTEMBER 2017 issue
M2 Luxury Watch Guide 2017
The phrase ‘time is relative to the observer’ arose from Albert Einstein’s field equations, which were published in 1915. Although he was talking about time as it pertains to general relativity, this extends to us as observers within the human condition. A minute can feel like hours at moments of stress. Conversely, the oft-thrown-around idiom...
Ryan Returns
The Hitman’s Bodyguard is the perfect example of a movie the critics hate but moviegoers love. It released at the same time as Logan Lucky, which is like a redneck version of Ocean’s 11, even made by the same director, Steven Soderbergh. Logan Lucky is unconventional but still has the fun energy of the Ocean’s films...
Health News, September 2017
CHOCOLATE Scientifically proven to be healthy A meta-analysis from Brown University has found a host of health effects from eating chocolate that stop the onset of scary words like “dyslipidemia”, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation which are apparently all major subclinical risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. If you can say that sentence off the top...
12 Ways to Prevent Prostate Cancer
With an annual death toll numbering some 500 men, prostate cancer claims more lives than the road toll. Not only is it the most common type of cancer found in men with more than 2,500 new diagnoses each year, it is also the third most common cancer contributing to premature death among males. To address...
M2 AUGUST 2017 issue
Style News August 2017
Fashion is an area where you can play with your ‘looks’ to reflect your personality. Shawn Mendes has the playful and charming attitude that Armani thought was perfect to face the launch of their new Emporio Armani Connected smartwatch collection. Let loose with your style as we move closer to spring and find your style...
Wheels News – August 2017
Aston Martin Go ahead, drool, as Aston Martin reveals more ‘Valkyrie’ secrets.Rightfully there is a thirst for more knowledge about the Aston Martin Valkyrie – so here’s what we know so far. The Hypercar is powered by a 6.5L V12 (and some electric wizardry) that will produce 1000hp. Two massive Venturi tunnels feed the rear...
How to lead with passion
I believe that passion underpins success in business. You can have the best product or service in the market, but without a passionate team of individuals driving its success, things are likely to flop. You can’t teach passion. You can’t teach people to care. As a boss or entrepreneur, it’s easy to jump out of...
Living an Extraordinary Life Means Giving Up a Normal One
The larger mob of society will never experience true success. Why? Because this majority is unwilling to become the CEO of their life – they’d rather someone else call the shots. They are unwilling to take risks, to fail publicly or be forced to try again after getting knocked down. They are unwilling to sacrifice...
M2 JULY 2017 issue
take a $12,000 journey in Japan’s Luxury Train
Earlier in May train and travel enthusiasts got their first look at the luxurious new Shiki-shima Sleeper train. The exterior is striking and stylish, hinting at what you can expect on the inside. It’s a 10 car train, and you’d think that it would fit a lot, but it only accommodates 34 people. Of course all...
David Beckham’s Guide To Success – Incredible Lessons for Success On and Off the Field
The prototypical script for a famous footballer goes something like this: You play 10 years (if you’re lucky). Possibly win a league title in the process (if you’re lucky). Finally, you negotiate a broadcasting career where you play pundit and banter with other ‘legends of the sport’ (that is, if you’re lucky). You then retire for...
Think Like a Marketer for Your Next Hire
The fundamentals of good marketer are to attract the consumer with a strong and reputable brand, motivate them into action, provide an excellent experience and retain their loyalty. A company brand that is well recognised and delivers in experience and performance will continue to attract customers over its competitors. Now apply this tactic to your...
Clink Clink Drink
Whiskey has been a passion of mine for a while now. Way before I started my Instagram, @clinkclinkdrink, I would enjoy a regular dram with my dad. Since then I have embraced the full definition of what whiskey can be – Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, even New Zealand and Japanese. Whiskey is great neat, but...
M2 JUNE 2017 issue
Logan Dodds Captures The Action
Being the social media sensation that he is, Logan Dodds is evidently no stranger to being in the limelight. When it comes to capturing the right mood, combined with the right moment, his vision is faultless and his adventurous spirit makes for some of the most breath taking and jaw dropping moments ever to grace...
Sport – June 2017
FORMULA ONE, POST BERNIE It may still be the same old picture in the Constructors’ Championship, but reigning champion Nico Rosberg’s replacement, Valtteri Bottas has stepped up to challenge team mate and enfant terrible, Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes’ new boy claimed the recent Russian Grand Prix, while Ferrari’s resurgence has seen Sebastian Vettel as a fixture...
Porsche Macan Turbo Power Pack – A Real Bench Lifter
From a gym goer’s point of view, the bench press is one of the most popular exercises in terms of increasing upper body strength. From a supine position on top of a bench (and using weights on a barbell), the motion consists of raising the bar from chest to the full extent of the arms...
M – The Heart and Seoul of BMW
Over easter; BMW invited me to Seoul to stretch the legs of their M-Sport range on the tarmac of its Driving Centre in Incheon, South Korea. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I sure wasn’t going to ‘passover’! For those of you that don’t know, here’s a brief history lesson. Officially founded on March 7,...
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